Now's the Time to Renew Your Passport — Here's Why
Processing times are now a week faster than last month and three weeks faster than over the summer.
Passport processing times have fallen once again with the U.S. Department of State getting through them faster than even last month.
Passports are now taking seven to 10 weeks to process for routine service or three to five weeks to process for expedited service, according to the State Department. That’s a week faster than last month and three weeks faster than over the summer.
“Our processing times only include the time your application is at one of our passport agencies or centers,” the State Department wrote on its website. “Mailing times are not included in processing times. The total time to get your passport includes both processing and mailing times.”
Mehroz Kapadia/Travel + Leisure
In addition to the processing time, the Department said it may take up to two weeks for applications to arrive by mail at a passport agency or center, plus up to two weeks to receive a completed passport in the mail after it is printed.
The new processing times apply to passports that were received on or after Nov. 6. Travelers can also apply in person for expedited service, but they must have international travel plans within 14 days.
Passport books cost $130 to renew and expedited service costs an additional $60, according to the State Department.
The State Department also introduced a pilot program to renew passports online last year, but the program is currently paused, according to the department.
Travelers who applied for a passport in person or by mail can check the status of that application on the State Department's website.
The State Department is also holding in-person “Special Passport Acceptance Fairs” at public libraries, recreation centers, and local city administrative offices through November and December. These passport fairs are specifically aimed at helping new passport applicants and are being held across the country from New Jersey to Wisconsin, Florida, and more.
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